Back fill attachment for a draft vehicle

ABSTRACT

A back fill attachment is provided for a draft vehicle. The attachment is especially useful to back fill soil removed from trenches in the laying of gas lines, water lines, electric lines and other conduits. The attachment also may be used to back fill soil removed from excavations made for general construction purposes, and to level or contour soil in land filling or landscaping operations. In one preferred embodiment, the attachment comprises an adjustable back fill blade which is adapted to be attached to a tractor having a three point hitch. The blade may be adjusted in a number of positions and the attachment is sufficiently versatile to meet a variety of different back filling, leveling, and contouring requirements.

United States Patent [191 Couch BACK FILL ATTACHMENT FOR A DRAFT VEHICLE[76] Inventor: James L. Couch, Route 3. Box 169,

Ocean Springs, Miss. 39564 [22] Filed: Oct. 30, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:301,764

[ Mar. 19, 1974 Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Pellegrino [57] ABSTRACT Aback fill attachment is provided for a draft vehicle. The attachment isespecially useful to back fill soil removed from trenches in the layingof gas lines, water lines, electric lines and other conduits. Theattachrnent also may be used to back fill soil removed fromexcavations'made for general construction purposes, and to level orcontour soil in land filling or landscaping operations. In one preferredembodiment, the attachment comprises an adjustable back fill blade whichis adapted to be attached to a tractor having a three'point hitch. .Theblade may be adjusted in a number of positions and the attachment issufficiently versatile to meet a variety of different back filling,leveling, and contouring requirements.

23 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEU MAR 19 I974 SHEET 2 BF 3 wdE BACKFILL ATTACHMENT FOR A DRAFT VEHICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to an attachment for a draft vehicle which isespecially useful to back fill soil removed from trenches andexcavations, and to level or contour soil in land filling orlandscaping. In one preferred embodiment, an attachment is provided fora standard tractor having a three-point hitch.

Many types of trenching devices are used at the present time in thelaying of conduits in the soil. As a general rule, the trenching devicestemporarily deposit the soil removed in opening the trench along one orboth sides thereof where it remains while the conduit is being layed inthe open trench. After laying the conduit, it is necessary to fill theopen trench and this is usually done by returning the soil to thetrench. This operation is often referred to as back filling.

The prior art equipment and techniques for opening and back fillingtrenches are not entirely satisfactory in all respects. For example, ina number of instances heavy and/or expensive machines are used which aredesigned to perform both the functions of opening the trench and backfilling. In other instances, it is common practice to employ one machinefor excavating the trench, and still another for back filling. A backfilling machine is especially designed and often has no other usefulpurpose in construction work and thus it often lies idle much of thetime. In still other instances, heavy general purpose construction orsoil moving equipment such as a bull dozer is used for back filling.Equipment of this type is not especially designed for back filling andtherefore is not as efficient as it should be. Additionally, the heavyequipment available heretofore tends to break down the side walls of thetrench and this markedly increases labor and other costs.

The back filling equipment available heretofore also had other shortcomings. Often the equipment was not sufficicntly versatile to meet thedifferent back filling, leveling and contouring requirements which areen countered in the field. High operating costs were a problem andespecially in instances where the back filling equipment could not beused for other purposes. Equipment especially designed for back fillingtends to be very costly and this adds to the overhead.

. It is therefore apparent that in spite of the great need therefor,entirely satisfactory back filling equipment was not availableheretofore which is inexpensive initially, low in cost to operate,relatively light in weight and yet sturdy, and sufficiently versatile tomeet a variety of back filling, leveling and contouring requirements.Furthermore, a back fill attachment having the foregoing characteristicswas not available heretofore which could be rapidly and easily attachedto a standard tractor, used in the back filling of an opened trench, andthen detached to thereby allow the tractor to be used for otherconstruction purposes. Accordingly, the present invention overcomes theabove mentioned and other deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one presently preferred embodiment, thepresent invention provides a back fill attachment which is adapted to beattached to a prior art draft vehicle such as a tractor having athree-point hitch. The back fill blade includes left and right bladesections movably mounted in spaced relationship on upright shafts whichare carried by a cross bar. The cross bar is movably mounted on anupright shaft which is carried by the outer end portion of a tongue. Theinner end of the tongue is adapted to be attached to the draft vehicle,and side and top supports are provided to strengthen the overallattachment. The cross bar and the left and right blade sections arecapable of being independently adjusted and retained in a large numberof positions. As a result, the back fill attachment is very versatileand useful in the field, relatively light in weight and may beconstructed and operated at low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is aperspective view illustrating one presently preferred embodiment'of theback fill attachment of the invention attached to a prior art draftvehicle, portions of which are broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the back fill blade of FIG. 1 in which thedetached or released position of the rigid top support is furtherillustrated in phantom line;

FIG. 3 is a rear end view of the back fill attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the back fill attachment illustrated in FIG. 1;I

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4};

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4,portions of which are broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the back fill attachment of FIG. I illustratingthe two blade sections in other adjusted positions;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the back fill attachment of FIG. 1 illustratingthe two blade sections in still other adjusted positions;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the back fill attachment of FIG. 1 illustratingthe two blade sections in still other adjusted positions;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the back fill attachment of FIG. Iillustrating the two blade sections in still other adjusted positions;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the back fill attachment of FIG. 1illustrating the two blade sections in a generally V shapedconfiguration and with a plough point attached thereto, and

FIG. 12 is a detailed plan view with portions thereof beingbroken awayfor clarity of illustration, illustrating the plough .point of FIG. 11and its manner of attachment to the blade sections in greater detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSTHEREOF Referring now to the various views of the drawings and moreparticularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, which illustrate one presentlypreferred embodiment of the invention, the back fill attachment 20 isshown attachedto a prior art tractor 21 having a three point hitch 22which is of the usual design and construction and thus is well known bythose skilled in this art. The three point hitch 22 includes a pair ofspaced draw bar arms 23 and 24 which may be raised and lowered by meansof devices 25 and 26, respectively. The three point hitch 22 alsoincludes a device 27 capable of being varied in length which is locatedabove draw bar arms 23 and 24. The back fill attachment may be raised orlowered within certain limits by shortening or lengthening the device 27respectively, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. It isunderstood that the devices 25, 26 and 27 are power operated byconventional means and controls located on the tractor (not shown in theinterest of clarity).

The back fill attachment 20 includes a hitching member 30, a tongue 31,a cross bar 32, a back fill blade 33, left and right side supports 34and 35, respectively, and a top support which may be a chain 29 and/or arod 36. The hitching member 30 includes an elongated lower portion 37having left and right studs 38 and 39, re-

spectively, which extend outwardly from the ends thereof, and left andright upwardly extending plates 40 and 41 provided with aligned openings42 and 43, respectively. The tongue 31 is connected on its forward endto portion 37 at a point intermediate the ends thereof and the portion37 extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of tongue31. The tongue 31 extends rearwardly from the point of attachment toportion 37 and has on its upper surface a pair of upwardly projectingspaced plates 46 provided with aligned openings 47 for receiving pin 48which retains the lower end of rod 36. An eye is provided for anchoringthe lower end of chain 29. j

The hitching member 30 also includes an upper portion 44 provided withspaced leg portions 49 and 50 which extend generally upward and inward,and which terminate in a common portion 51. The common portion 51 isprovided with rearwardly extending spaced plates 52 having alignedopenings 53 of a size to receive pin 54 which retains the upper end ofrod 36. Hook 55 is also provided on portion 51 for adjustably attachingthe upper end of chain 29. The lower ends of legs 49 and 50 are providedwith studs 56 and 57 which are inserted in openings 42 and 43,respectively. The openings 42 and 43 and the studs 56 and 57 are locatedwhereby the legs 49 and 50 are movably mounted above portion 37 andspaced therefrom. This arrangement allows the upper portion 44 includingportion 51 to be moved toward and away from tongue 31 when the pin 54 isremoved and rod 36 is in the position shown in phantom line in FIG. 2and the chain 29 is disconnected from hook 55. It is also possible toadjust the effective length of chain 29 when rod 36 is in the positionshown in phantom line in FIG. 2 and thereby position portion 51 of theupper portion 44 either further toward or further away from the tongue31. The common portion 51 is provided with upwardly projecting spacedplates 58 having aligned openings 59.

Each of the outer ends of draw bar arms 23 and 24 have an opening 60 forreceiving the studs 38 and 39 whereby lower portion 37 may be quicklyand easily attached to draw bar arms 23 and 24. The outer end of device27 also has an opening 61 in the end thereof. The end of device 27 ispositioned between spaced plates 58 and the openings 59 and 61 are inalignment whereby pin 62 may be inserted therethrough and the upperportion 44 may be quickly and easily attached to device 27. Thisarrangement allows portion 37 to be movably mounted on studs 38 and 39whereby the rear end of attachment 20 may be raised and lowered when thechain 29 and/or the rod 36 are in place, as shown in solid line in FIG.2, by lengthening or shortening respectively the device 27. Thearrangement also provides for flexible mounting of attachment20 whenonly the chain 29is attached and the rod 36 is in the position shown inphantom line in FIG. 2 and the attachment 20 may be used in roughterrain without damage. This arrangement also allows the entireattachment 20 to be raised or lowered by means of power operated devices25 and 26 attached to draw bar arms 23 and 24, respectively.

As is best seen in FIGS. 14 and 6, a box-like member is provided on therear end of tongue 31 for mounting cross bar 32. The bottom 71 and top72 of member 78 have aligned openings 73 and 74 respectively of a sizeto receive bushing 75. The side wall 76 has a pair of spaced plates 77which are provided with aligned openings 78 of a size to receive pin 79.

The cross bar 32 is constructed from a hollow member having a generallyrectangular cross section. Aligned openings 80 and 81 are provided inthe top wall 82 and bottom wall 83 respectively of a size to receivemain adjustment shaft 84. A main adjustment plate is welded to the outersurface of top wall 82 and the lower end of shaft 84 is welded to bottomwall 83. The adjustment plate 85 has an opening 86 of a size to receiveshaft 84 and the opening 86 is aligned with openings 80 and 81. Thebushing 75 has aninternal diameter ofa size to receive shaft 84. Thebushing 75 also has a length slightly greater than the height of member78 whereby the wall 71 and plate 85 are spaced and do not bind when thecross bar 32 is rotated on shaft 84.

The shaft 84 extends from the outer surface of wall 83 upwardsuccessively through openings 81, 80, 86, 73 and 74, and then past theouter surface of wall 70 a distance sufficient to provide space forwasher 88 and clear threads 87 whereby nut 89 may be threaded tightlythereon. The adjustment plate 85 has a plurality of spaced adjustmentopenings 90 which are positioned at approximately equal distances fromthe center line of shaft 84 and arranged so as to align successivelywith openings 78 as the cross bar 32 is rotated on shaft 84. A pin 79 isinserted through openings 78 and the selected opening 90 to therebysecurely retain the cross bar 32 in the desired adjusted angularrelationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue 31'.The openings 98 are spaced at intervals providing selected desiredangular relationships with respect to the longitudinal axis of tongue31, such as 22.5", 45 and 90 and either to the right or left of thecenter line of tongue 31. Also, the blade 33 may be rotated on shaft 84andpositioned for pulling soil forward or for pushing soil backward, andthe openings 90 are arranged so as to allow the desired angularrelationships to be obtained in both instances.

The above described arrangement of apparatus allows the cross bar 32 andthe blade 33 carried thereby to be rotated in a 360 arc. Thus, it ispossible to select any desired opening 90 which provides the desiredangular relationship with respect to tongue 31 for alignment withopenings 78. Upon aligning the selected opening 98 and the openings 78,the pin 79 is inserted therethrough to thereby securely adjust the crossbar 32 in the selected desired angular relationship.

As is best seen in FIGS. 1-5, the back fill blade 33 includes similarleft and right blade sections and 96 which are mounted on bladeadjustment shafts 97 and 98, respectively for rotary movement thereon ina 360 arc. The blade sections 95 and 96 include mold board portions 99and 100, respectively, to the lower edges of which are replaceablyattached cutting edges 101 and 102 by means of a plurality of bolts 103and 104, respectively. The cutting edges 101 and 102 extend outward pastmold boards 99 and 100 respectively, a substantial distance to reducewear and to enable a plow point 105 to be attached thereto moreconveniently and securely.

As is best seen in FIG. 5, the shafts 97 and 98 have angle irons 106 and107 respectively welded thereto, and the upper edges of mold boards 99and 100, respectively, are welded thereto to thereby strengthen andeffectively support the upper edges thereof. Horizontally extendingbrace plates 108 and 109 are welded to the lower ends of shafts 97 and98, respectively and extend forward a distance sufficient to meet thelower edges of mold boards 99 and 100, respectively, and are weldedthereto to support and brace the same. The blade adjustment plates 110and 111 have openings 112 and 113 therein of a size to receive shafts 97and 98, respectively. The shafts 97 and 98 extend upward throughopenings 112 and 113, respectively and plates 110 and 111 rest on top ofangle irons 106 and 107 and are welded to shafts 97 and 98.

The bottom wall 114 of cross bar 32 is provided with spaced openings 115and 116, and the top wall 117 of cross bar 32 is provided with spacedopenings 118 and 119. The openings 115 and.118 are aligned and theopenings 116 and 119 are aligned and are of sizes to receive bushings120 and 121, respectively. The bushings 120 and 121 have internaldiameters of sizes to receive shafts 97 and 98, respectively. Thebushings 121 and 122 also have lengths slightly, longer than the heightof cross bar 32 whereby the outer surface of lower wall 114 and theupper surface of blade adjust ment plates 110 and 111, respectively, arespaced and do not bind when the blade sections 95 and 96 are rotated inan arc of 360 on adjustment shafts 97 and 98, respectively.

The adjustment shaft 97 extends upward successively through openings112, 115 and 118, and adjustment shaft 98 extends upwardly successivelythrough openings 113, 116 and 119. The shafts 97 and 98 then extendoutward past the outer surface of wall 117 a distance sufficient toprovide space for washers 123 and 124 and to clear threads 125 and 126whereby nuts 127 and 128, respectively may be threaded tightly thereon.The adjustment plates 110and 111 have a plurality of spaced adjustmentopenings 129 and 130, respectively which are positioned at approximatelyequal distances from the center lines of shafts 97 and 98, respectivelyand arranged so as to align successively with aligned openings 131 inspaced plates 132 and aligned openings 133 for spaced plates 134 as theblade sections 95 and 96 are rotated on shafts 97 and 98. Pin 135 isinserted through aligned openings 129 and 131, and pin 136 is insertedthrough aligned openings 130 and 133 to thereby securely retain theblade sections 95 and 96 respectively in the desired adjusted angularrelationships with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cross bar 32and/or with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue 31. Theadjustment openings 129 and 130 are spaced at intervals providingselected desired angular relationships with respect to the longitudinalaxis of cross bar 32 and/or tongue 31, such as 22.5, 45 and 90.

The above described arrangement of apparatus allows the blade sectionsand 96 to be rotated in a 360 arc. Thus, it is possible to select anydesired adjustment openings 129 and for alignment with openings 131 and133, respectively, which provide the desired angular relationships ofblade sections 95, and 96 with respect to tongue 31 and/or cross bar 32.Upon aligning the selected adjustment opening 129 with openings 131, andthe selected adjustment opening 130 with the openings 133, the pins and136 may be inserted therethrough to thereby securely adjust the bladesections 95 and 96, respectively, in the desired angular relationships.

The'blade section 95 is provided with a pair of spaced rearwardlyextending plates 137 having aligned openings 138 therein, and bladesection 96 is provided with a single rearwardly extending plate 139having an opening 140 therein. As is best seen in FIG. 12, the plowpoint 105 is provided with a rearwardly extending plate 141 having anopening 142 therein. Upon rotating the cross bar 32 and blade sections95 and 96 to the positions illustrated in FIG. 11, the plate 139 ispositioned between the spaced plates 137. The openings 138, 140 and 142are aligned and pin 143 may be inserted therein to securely retain theplow point 105 in the position illustrated in FIG. 12.

The blade section 95 is also provided with a pair of spaced plates 145having aligned openings 146 therein, and blade section 96 is providedwith a pair of spaced plates 147 having aligned openings 148 therein. Asis best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the blade sections are in thepositions illustrated in FIG. 1-4, the spaced plates 147 are positionedbetween the spaced plates 145, the openings 146 and 148 are aligned, andthe pin 149 may be inserted therethrough and the blade sections 95 and96 locked in position. Soil for back filling may be pulled forward whenthe blade sections are in this position. j

The bottom wall 114 and the top wall 117. of cross bar 32 are providedwith a second set of aligned openings 150 and 151 aligned openings 152and 153 for adjustment shafts 97 and 98, respectively, which are similarto aligned openings 116 and 117 and aligned openings 118 and 119,respectively. The spaced plates 132 and 134 are also provided withaligned openings 156 and aligned openings 157, respectively, which aresimilar to aligned openings 131 and aligned openings 133, respectively.This arrangement allows the blade sections 95 and 96 to be mounted inspaced relationship when this is desirable, such as when back fillingwide ditches. When it is desired to so operate, the shafts 97 and 98 areremoved from the positions illustrated in the drawings and installed inthe aligned openings 150 and 151, and the aligned openings 152 and 153,respectively. When so installed, the aligned openings 156 and thealigned openings 157 are so arranged as to be in alignment with theadjustment openings 129 and 130, respectively, whereby the pins 135 and136 may be inserted therethrough as previously described and the bladesections 95 and 96 retained in desired adjusted positions.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and 12 of the drawings illustrate some of thevarious positions that the cross bar 32 and the blade sections 95 and 96may assume for various types of back filling operations other than thebasic positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6. On reference to FIG.7, it may be seen that cross bar 32 has been rotated on main adjustmentshaft 84, 45 to the left, whereby soil may be moved from the right tothe left and used to back fill a trench. Upon reference to FIG. 8 of thedrawings, it may be seen the right blade section 96 has been rotated 45to the left on blade adjustment shaft 98, and the cross bar 32 has beenrotated 45 to the right on main adjustment shaft 84. This arrangementallows the soil to be moved both from the left and the right sides ofthe ditch and used to back fill the same.

Upon reference to FIG. 9 of the drawings, it may be seen that the crossbar 32 is in the same position as illustrated in FIG. 4. However, theblade section 95 has been rotated 45 to the right on blade adjustmentshaft 97, and blade section 96 has been rotated 45 to the left on bladeadjustment shaft 98. This arrangement allows soil to be transferred fromthe left and right sides of the trench and then deposited in the trench.

FIG. 10 of the drawings illustrates the manner of adjustment of the backfill blade when it is desired to push soil backward into a ditch. Thecross bar 32 has been rotated 180 on main adjustment shaft 84, and thusthe back fill blade 33 is now directed toward the rear. Upon reversingthe tractor, the soil is pushed toward the rear and into the trench tobe filled.

FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings illustrate the blade sections 95 and 96in the V position. The cross bar 32 is in the same position as describedfor FIG. 10. However, the blade section 96 has been rotated 45 to theright on blade adjustment shaft 98, and the blade section 95 has beenrotated 45 to the left on blade adjustment shaft 97 to thereby formthe"V configuration. Also, plow point 105 has been attached thereto asdescribed previously in connection with FIG. 12. Thus, upon pulling theattachment forward, the soil is moved to the left and the right alongthe blade sections 96 and 95, respectively.

The above described positions of the cross bar 32 and the blade sections95 and 96, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of thedrawings are merely exemplary of the numerous possible positions. It isunderstood that a wide variety of other positions are possible andtherefore the attachment of the present invention is very versatile.Thus, the present invention. provides for the first time an entirelysatsifactory attachment for a draft vehicle which is useful for numerouspurposes in the construction field, including back filling, landscapingand contouring soil.

I claim:

1. A back fill attachment for a tractor having a threepoint hitchcomprising an elongated tongue member having first and second endportions, means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue to thethree-point hitch of the tractor, the said means for attaching thetongue including a hitching member carryingspaced first, second andthird hitching means, the first and second hitching means being carriedby the hitching member below the third hitching means, the first, secondand third hitching means being adapted to be attached to the three-pointhitch of the tractor, an elongated cross bar having first and second endportions, means for movably mounting the cross bar on the second endportion of the tongue, the cross bar being mounted between its first andsecond end portions and the said mounting means therefor allowingmovement of the cross bar about a generally upright axis and in agenerally horizontal plane, first adjustment means for adjusting theangular relationship of the cross bar and the tongue, means forretaining the cross bar and the tongue in said adjusted angularrelationship, a sectional back fill blade including independentelongated first and second blade sections, means for movably mountingthe first blade section on the first end portion of the cross bar, thesaid mounting means for the first blade section allowing movement of thefirst blade section about a generally upright axis and in a generallyhorizontal plane, means for movably mounting the second blade section onthe second end portion of the cross bar, the said mounting means for thesecond blade section allowing movement of the second blade section abouta generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, the saidmounting means for the cross bar and the said mounting means for thefirst and second blade sections allowing each of the cross bar, thefirst blade section and the second blade section to be rotated through a360 arc, second adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationshipof the cross bar and the first blade section and for securely retainingthe same in said adjusted position, and third adjustment means foradjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the second bladesection and for securely retaining the same in said adjusted position,each of said cross bar, first blade section and second blade sectionbeing independently movably mounted by their respective mounting meansand each of said first, second and third adjustment means beingindependently adjustable whereby each of said cross bar, first bladesection and second blade section may be moved in a generally horizontalplane, adjusted in a desired angular relationship with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the tongue and then securely retained in saiddesired angular relationship, the first and second blade sections beingmounted on their respective mounting'means so as to provide inner andouter end portions of unequal length, the outer end portion of each ofthe first and second blade portions being longer than the inner endportions thereof whereby the first and second blade sections may beadjusted in a desired angular relationship, first, second and thirdelongated support means having first and second end portions, the first,second and third support means extending between the said hitchingmember and the second end portion of the tongue and being angularlydisposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, the firstend portions of each of the first, second and third support means beingjoined to the said hitching member, and the second end portions of eachof the first, second and third support means being joined to the secondend portion of the tongue.

2. The back fill attachment of claim 1 wherein the first end portions ofthe first, second and third support means are joined to the hitchingmember in the general vicinity of the said first, second and thirdhitching means respectively.

3. The back fill attachment of claim 1 wherein the first and secondhitching means are located in a generally horizontal plane and the thirdhitching means is located in a plane which passes through each of thefirst and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom. 4. Theback fill attachment of claim 1 wherein the first and second hitchingmeans are located in a generally horizontal plane, the third hitchingmeans is located in a plane which passes through each of the first andsecond hitching means and extends upward therefrom, and the first endportions of the first, second and third support means are joined to thehitching member in the general vicinity of the said first, second andthird hitching means respectively.

5. The back fill attachment of claim 4 wherein the said third supportmeans includes a flexible support means which is adjustable in effectivelength and a rigid support means, and the said flexible support meansand the said rigid support means are detachably joined on at least oneend to the said hitching member and the second end of the tongue wherebyat least one end of one of said flexible and rigid support means may bedetached and the remaining one of said flexible and rigid support meansmay be used alone.

6. The back fill attachment of claim 4 wherein the said hitching memberincludes upper and lower portions, the first and second hitching meansare carried by the said lower portion and the third hitching means iscarried by the said upper portion, and means for movably mounting thesaid upper portion above the said lower portion whereby the said upperand lower portions are in spaced relationship, the means for mountingthe said upper portion allowing movement thereof about an axis whichextends generally transversely with respect to the tongue whereby thethird hitching means carried thereby may be moved back and forth in thegeneral direction of the longitudinal axis of the tongue to provideflexibility.

7. A back fill attachment for a tractor having a threepoint hitchcomprising an elongated tongue member having first and second endportions, means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue to thethree-point hitch of the tractor, the said means for attaching thetongue including a hitching member carrying spaced first, second andthird hitching means, the first and second hitching means being carriedby the hitching member below the third hitching means, the first, secondand third hitching means being adaptedto be attached to the three-pointhitch of the tractor, the first and second hitching means being locatedin a generally horizontal plane, the third hitching means being locatedin a plane which passes through each of the first and second hitchingmeans and extends upward therefrom, the said hitching member alsoincluding upper and lower portions, the first and second hitching meansbeing carried by the said lower portion and the third hitching meansbeing carried by the said upper portion, means for movably mounting thesaid upper portion above the said lower portion whereby the said upperand lower portions are in spaced relationship, the means for mountingthe said upper portion allowing movement thereof about an axis whichextends generally trans-- versely with respect to the tongue whereby thethird hitching means carried thereby may be moved back and forth in thegeneral direction of the longitudinal axis of the tongue to provideflexibility, an elongated cross bar having first and second endportions, means for movably mounting the cross bar on the second endportion of the tongue, the cross bar being mounted between its first andsecond end portions and the said mounting means therefor allowingmovement of the .cross bar about a generally upright axis and in agenerally horizontal plane, adjustment means for adjusting the angularrelationship of the cross bar and the tongue, means for retaining thecross bar and the tongue in said adjusted angular relationship, a backfill blade, means for mounting the back fill blade on the cross bar,first, second and third elongated support means having first and secondend portions, the first, second and third support means extendingbetween the said hitching member and the second end portion of thetongue and being angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinalaxis of the tongue, the first end portions of each of the first, secondand third support means being joined to the said hitching member in thegeneral vicinity of the said first, second and third hitching meansrespectively, the second end portions of each of the first, second andthird support means being joined to the second end portion of thetongue, the said third support means including a flexible support meanswhichis adjustable in effective length and a rigid support means, andthe said flexible support means and the said rigid support means beingdetachably joined on at least one end to the said hitching member andthe second end of the tongue whereby at least one end of one of saidflexible and rigid support means may be detached'and the remaining oneof said flexible and rigid support means may be used alone.

8. The back fill attachment of claim 7 wherein the said lower portion ofthe hitching member is elongated and has first and second end portions,the said lower portion is joined between its first and second endportions to the first end portion of the tongue, the longitudinal axisof the said lower portion extends generally transversely with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the tongue, the said first and second hitchingmeans are carried by the said first and second end portions respectivelyof the lower portion of the hitching member, the said upper portion ofthe hitching member includes first and second spaced legs which extendupward and are joined together to form a common portion, the said thirdhitching means is carried by the said common portion, the means formovably mounting the I said upper portion includes first-and secondmounting elements carried by the first and second end portions of thesaid lower portion and the first and second legs of the said upperportion respectively, the first end portions of the first and secondsupport means are joined to the first and second end portions of thesaid lower portion respectively, and the first end portions-of the saidflexible'and rigid third support meansare detachably joined to the saidcommon portion of the upper portion of the hitching member.

9. A back fill attachment for a draft vehicle comprising an elongatedtongue member having first and second end portions, means for attachingthe first end portion of the tongue to the draft vehicle, an elongatedcross bar having first and second end portions, means for movablymounting the cross bar on the second end portion of the tongue, thecross bar being mounted between its first and second end portions andthe said mounting means therefor allowing movement of the cross barabout a generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane,first adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of thecross bar and the tongue, means for retaining the cross bar and thetongue in said adjusted angular relationship, a sectional back fillblade including independent elongated first and second blade sections,means for movably mounting the first blade section on the first endportion of the cross bar, the said mounting means for the first bladesection allowing movement of the first blade section about a generallyupright axis and in a generally horiblade section on the second endportion of the cross 7 bar, the said mounting means for the second bladesection allowing movement of the second blade section about a generallyupright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, second adjustmentmeans for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and thefirst blade section and for securely retaining the same in said adjustedposition, and third adjustment means for adjusting the angularrelationship of the cross bar and the second blade section and forsecurely retaining the same in said adjusted position, each of saidcross bar, first blade section and second blade section beingindependently movably mounted by their respective mounting means andeach of said first, second and third adjustment means beingindependently adjustable whereby each of said cross bar, first bladesection and second blade section may be moved in a generally horizontalplane, adjusted in a desired angular relationship with respct to thelongitudinal axis of the tongue, and then securely retained in saiddesired angular relationship.

10. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the said mounting meansfor the cross bar allows the cross bar to be rotated through a 360 arc.

11. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the said mounting meansfor the first and second blade sections allows the first and secondblade sections to be rotated terough a 360 arc.

12. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the said mounting meansfor the cross bar and the said mounting means for thefirst and secondblade sections allow each of the cross bar, the first blade section andthe second blade section to be rotated through a 360 arc.

13. The back fill attachment ofclaim 9 wherein the first and secondblade sections are mounted on their respective mounting means so as toprovide inner and outer end portions of unequal length, the outer endportion of each of the first and second blade portions being longer thanthe inner end portions thereof whereby the first and second bladesections may be adjusted in a desired angular relationship.

14. The back fill attachment of claim 13 wherein the first and secondblade sections are provided withreplaceable cutting edges which extendalong the lower edge portions thereof, and the cutting edges extendoutward past the ends of the said outer end portions a substantialdistance.

15. The back fill blade of claim 13 wherein the said mounting means forthe cross bar and the said mounting means for the first and second bladesections allow each of the cross bar, the first blade section and thesecond blade section to be rotated through a 360 arc, the outer endportions of the first and second blade sections are moved together toform the general configuration of a V," a plow point is at the base ofthe V, and the said outer end portions of the first and second bladesections carry means for attaching the plow point thereto.

16. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the draft vehicle is atractor having a three-point hitch, the said means for attaching thefirst end portion of the tongue including means for attaching the firstend portion of the tongue to the three-point hitch of the tractor, thesaid means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue alsoincluding a hitching member carrying spaced first, second and thirdhitching means, the first and second hitching means being carried by thehitching member below the third hitching means, the first, second andthird hitching means being adapted to be attached to the three-pointhitch of the tractor, first, second and third elongated support meanshaving first and second end portions, the first, second and thirdsupport means extending between the said hitching member and the secondend portion of the tongue and being angularly disposed with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the tongue, the first end portions of each ofthe first, second and third support means being joined to the saidhitching member, and the second end portions of each of the first,second and third support means being joined to the second end portion ofthe tongue.

17. The back fill attachment of claim 16 wherein the first end portionsof the first, second and third support means are joined to the hitchingmember in the general vicinity of the said first, second and thirdhitching means respectively.

18. The back fill attachment of claim 16 wherein the first and secondhitching means are located in a generally hoirozontal plane and thethird hitching means is located in a plane which passes through each ofthe first and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom.

19. The back fill attachment of claim 16 wherein the first and secondhitching means are located in a generally horizontal plane, the thirdhitching means is located in a plane which passes through each of thefirst and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom, and thefirst end portions of the first, second and third support means arejoined to the hitching member in the general vicinity of the said first,second and third hitching means respectively.

20. The back fill attachment of claim l9-wherein the said third supportmeans includes a flexible support means which is adjustable in effectivelength and a rigid support means, and the said flexible support meansand the said rigid support means are detachably joined on at least oneend to the said-hitching member and the second end of the tongue wherebyat least one end of one of said flexible and rigid support means may bedetached and the remaining one of said flexible and rigid support meansmay be used alone.

21. The back fill attachment of claim 19 wherein the said hitchingmember includes upper and lower portions, the first and second hitchingmeans are carried by the said lower portion and the third hitching meansis carried by the said upper portion, and means is provided for movablymounting the said upper portion above the said lower portion whereby thesaid upper and lower portions are in spaced relationship, the means formounting the said upper portion allowing movement thereof about an axiswhich extends generally transversely with respect to the tongue wherebythe .third hitching means carried thereby may be moved of said flexibleand rigid support means may be detached and the remaining one of saidflexible and rigid support means may be used alone, the said hitchingmember includes upper and lower portions, the first and second hitchingmeans are carried by the said lower portion and the third hitching meansis carried by the said upper portion, and means for movably mounting thesaid upper portion above the said lower portion whereby the said upperand lower portions are in spaced relationship, the means for mountingthe said upper portion allowing movement thereof about an axis whichextends generally transversely with respect to the tongue whereby thethird hitching means carried thereby may be moved back and forth in thegeneral direction of the longitudinal axis of the tongue to provideflexibility. I

23. The back fill attachment of claim 22 wherein the said lower portionof the hitching member is elongated and has first and second endportions, the said lower portion is joined between its first and secondend portions to the first end portion of the tongue, the longitudinalaxis of the said lower portion extends generally transversely withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, the said first andsecond hitching means are carried by the said first and second endportions respectively of the lower portion of the hitching member, thesaid upper portion of the hitching member includes first and secondspaced legs which extend upward and are joined together to form a commonportion, the said third hitching means is carried by the said commonportion, the means for movably mounting the said upper portion includesfirst and second mounting elements carried by the first and second endportions of the said lower portion and the first and second legs of thesaid upper portion respectively, the first end portions of the first andsecond support means are joined to the first and second end portions ofthe said lower portion respectively, and the first end portions of thesaid flexible and rigid third support means are detachably joined to thesaid common portion of the upper portion of the hitching member.

1. A back fill attachment for a tractor having a three-point hitchcomprising an elongated tongue member having first and second endportions, means for attaching the first end portion of the tongue to thethree-point hitch of the tractor, the said means for attaching thetongue including a hitching member carrying spaced first, second andthird hitching means, the first and second hitching means being carriedby the hitching member below the third hitching means, the first, secondand third hitching means being adapted to be attached to the three-pointhitch of the tractor, an elongated cross bar having first and second endportions, means for movably mounting the cross bar on the second endportion of the tongue, the cross bar being mounted between its first andsecond end portions and the said mounting means therefor allowingmovement of the cross bar about a generally upright axis and in agenerally horizontal plane, first adjustment means for adjusting theangular relationship of the cross bar and the tongue, means forretaining the cross bar and the tongue in said adjusted angularrelationship, a sectional back fill blade including independentelongated first and second blade sections, means for movably mountingthe first blade section on the first end portion of the cross bar, thesaid mounting means for the first blade section allowing movement of thefirst blade section about a generally upright axis and in a generallyhorizontal plane, means for movably mounting the second blade section onthe second end portion of the cross bar, the said mounting means for thesecond blade section allowing movement of the second blade section abouta generally upright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, the saidmounting means for the cross bar and the said mounting means for thefirst and second blade sections allowing each of the cross bar, thefirst blade section and the second blade section to be rotated through a360* arc, second adjustment means for adjusting the angular relationshipof the cross bar and the first blade section and for securely retainingthe same in said adjusted position, and third adjustment means foradjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the second bladesection and for securely retaining the same in said adjusted position,each of said cross bar, first blade section and second blade sectionbeing independently movably mounted by their respective mounting meansand each of said first, second and third adjustment means beingindependently adjustable whereby each of said cross bar, first bladesection and second blade section may be moved in a generally horizontalplane, adjusted in a desired angular relationship with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the tongue and then securely retained in saiddesired angular relationship, the first and second blade sections beingmounted on their respective mounting means so as to provide inner andouter end portions of unequal length, the outer end portion of each ofthe first and second blade portions being longer than the inner endportions thereof whereby the first and second blade sections may beadjusted in a desired angular relationship, first, second and thirdelongated support means having first and second end portions, the first,second and third support means extending between the said hitchingmember and the second end portion of the tongue and being angularlydisposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue, the firstend portions of each of the first, second and third support means beingjoined to the said hitching member, and the second end portions of eachof the first, second and third support means being joined to the secondend portion of the tongue.
 2. The back fill attachment of claim 1wherein the first end portions of the first, second and third supportmeans are joined to the hitching member in the general vicinity of thesaid first, second and third hitching means respectively.
 3. The backfill attachment of claim 1 wherein the first and second hitching meansare located in a generally horizontal plane and the third hitching meansis located in a plane which passes through each of the first and secondhitching means and extends upward therefrom.
 4. The back fill attachmentof claim 1 wherein the first and second hitching means are located in agenerally horizontal plane, the third hitching means is located in aplane which passes through each of the first and second hitching meansand extends upward therefrom, and the first end portions of the first,second and third support means are joined to the hitching member in thegeneral vicinity of the said first, second and third hitching meansrespectively.
 5. The back fill attachment of claim 4 wherein the saidthird support means includes a flexible support means which isadjustable in effective length and a rigid support means, and the saidflexible support means and the said rigid support means are detachablyjoined on at least one end to the said hitching member and the secondend of the tongue whereby at least one end of one of said flexible andrigid support means may be detached and the remaining one of saidflexible and rigid support means may be used alone.
 6. The back fillattachment of claim 4 wherein the said hitching member includes upperand lower portions, the first and second hitching means are carried bythe said lower portion and the third hitching means is carried by thesaid upper portion, and means for movably mounting the said upperportion above the said lower portion whereby the said upper and lowerportions are in spaced relationship, the means for mounting the saidupper portion allowing movement thereof about an axis which extendsgenerally transversely with respect to the tongue whereby the thirdhitching means carried thereby may be moved back and forth in thegeneral direction of the longitudinal axis of the tongue to provideflexibility.
 7. A back fill attachment for a tractor having athree-point hitch comprising an elongated tongue member having first andsecond end portions, means for attaching the first end portion of thetongue to the three-point hitch of the tractor, the said means forattaching the tongue including a hitching member carrying spaced first,second and third hitching means, the first and second hitching meansbeing carried by the hitching member below the third hitching means, thefirst, second and third hitching means being adapted to be attached tothe three-point hitch of the tractor, the first and second hitchingmeans being located in a generally horizontal plane, the third hitchingmeans being located in a plane which passes through each of the firstand second hitching means and extends upward therefrom, the saidhitching member also including upper and lower portions, the first andsecond hitching means being carried by the said lower portion and thethird hitching means being carried by the said upper portion, means formovably mounting the said upper portion above the said lower portionwhereby the said upper and lower portions are in spaced relationship,the means for mounting the said upper portion allowing movement thereofabout an axis which extends generally transversely with respect to thetongue whereby the third hitching means carried thereby may be movedback and forth in the general direction of the longitudinal axis of thetongue to provide flexibility, an elongated cross bar having first andsecond end portions, means for movably mounting the cross bar on thesecond end portion of the tongue, the cross bar being mounted betweenits first and second end portions and the said mounting means thereforallowing movement of the cross bar about a generally upright axis and ina Generally horizontal plane, adjustment means for adjusting the angularrelationship of the cross bar and the tongue, means for retaining thecross bar and the tongue in said adjusted angular relationship, a backfill blade, means for mounting the back fill blade on the cross bar,first, second and third elongated support means having first and secondend portions, the first, second and third support means extendingbetween the said hitching member and the second end portion of thetongue and being angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinalaxis of the tongue, the first end portions of each of the first, secondand third support means being joined to the said hitching member in thegeneral vicinity of the said first, second and third hitching meansrespectively, the second end portions of each of the first, second andthird support means being joined to the second end portion of thetongue, the said third support means including a flexible support meanswhich is adjustable in effective length and a rigid support means, andthe said flexible support means and the said rigid support means beingdetachably joined on at least one end to the said hitching member andthe second end of the tongue whereby at least one end of one of saidflexible and rigid support means may be detached and the remaining oneof said flexible and rigid support means may be used alone.
 8. The backfill attachment of claim 7 wherein the said lower portion of thehitching member is elongated and has first and second end portions, thesaid lower portion is joined between its first and second end portionsto the first end portion of the tongue, the longitudinal axis of thesaid lower portion extends generally transversely with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the tongue, the said first and second hitchingmeans are carried by the said first and second end portions respectivelyof the lower portion of the hitching member, the said upper portion ofthe hitching member includes first and second spaced legs which extendupward and are joined together to form a common portion, the said thirdhitching means is carried by the said common portion, the means formovably mounting the said upper portion includes first and secondmounting elements carried by the first and second end portions of thesaid lower portion and the first and second legs of the said upperportion respectively, the first end portions of the first and secondsupport means are joined to the first and second end portions of thesaid lower portion respectively, and the first end portions of the saidflexible and rigid third support means are detachably joined to the saidcommon portion of the upper portion of the hitching member.
 9. A backfill attachment for a draft vehicle comprising an elongated tonguemember having first and second end portions, means for attaching thefirst end portion of the tongue to the draft vehicle, an elongated crossbar having first and second end portions, means for movably mounting thecross bar on the second end portion of the tongue, the cross bar beingmounted between its first and second end portions and the said mountingmeans therefor allowing movement of the cross bar about a generallyupright axis and in a generally horizontal plane, first adjustment meansfor adjusting the angular relationship of the cross bar and the tongue,means for retaining the cross bar and the tongue in said adjustedangular relationship, a sectional back fill blade including independentelongated first and second blade sections, means for movably mountingthe first blade section on the first end portion of the cross bar, thesaid mounting means for the first blade section allowing movement of thefirst blade section about a generally upright axis and in a generallyhorizontal plane, means for movably mounting the second blade section onthe second end portion of the cross bar, the said mounting means for thesecond blade section allowing movement of the second blade section abouta generally upright axis and in a generally hOrizontal plane, secondadjustment means for adjusting the angular relationship of the cross barand the first blade section and for securely retaining the same in saidadjusted position, and third adjustment means for adjusting the angularrelationship of the cross bar and the second blade section and forsecurely retaining the same in said adjusted position, each of saidcross bar, first blade section and second blade section beingindependently movably mounted by their respective mounting means andeach of said first, second and third adjustment means beingindependently adjustable whereby each of said cross bar, first bladesection and second blade section may be moved in a generally horizontalplane, adjusted in a desired angular relationship with respct to thelongitudinal axis of the tongue, and then securely retained in saiddesired angular relationship.
 10. The back fill attachment of claim 9wherein the said mounting means for the cross bar allows the cross barto be rotated through a 360* arc.
 11. The back fill attachment of claim9 wherein the said mounting means for the first and second bladesections allows the first and second blade sections to be rotatedterough a 360* arc.
 12. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein thesaid mounting means for the cross bar and the said mounting means forthe first and second blade sections allow each of the cross bar, thefirst blade section and the second blade section to be rotated through a360* arc.
 13. The back fill attachment of claim 9 wherein the first andsecond blade sections are mounted on their respective mounting means soas to provide inner and outer end portions of unequal length, the outerend portion of each of the first and second blade portions being longerthan the inner end portions thereof whereby the first and second bladesections may be adjusted in a desired angular relationship.
 14. The backfill attachment of claim 13 wherein the first and second blade sectionsare provided with replaceable cutting edges which extend along the loweredge portions thereof, and the cutting edges extend outward past theends of the said outer end portions a substantial distance.
 15. The backfill blade of claim 13 wherein the said mounting means for the cross barand the said mounting means for the first and second blade sectionsallow each of the cross bar, the first blade section and the secondblade section to be rotated through a 360* arc, the outer end portionsof the first and second blade sections are moved together to form thegeneral configuration of a ''''V,'''' a plow point is at the base of the''''V,'''' and the said outer end portions of the first and second bladesections carry means for attaching the plow point thereto.
 16. The backfill attachment of claim 9 wherein the draft vehicle is a tractor havinga three-point hitch, the said means for attaching the first end portionof the tongue including means for attaching the first end portion of thetongue to the three-point hitch of the tractor, the said means forattaching the first end portion of the tongue also including a hitchingmember carrying spaced first, second and third hitching means, the firstand second hitching means being carried by the hitching member below thethird hitching means, the first, second and third hitching means beingadapted to be attached to the three-point hitch of the tractor, first,second and third elongated support means having first and second endportions, the first, second and third support means extending betweenthe said hitching member and the second end portion of the tongue andbeing angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of thetongue, the first end portions of each of the first, second and thirdsupport means being joined to the said hitching member, and the secondend portions of each of the first, second and third support means beingjoined to the second end portion of the tongue.
 17. The back fillattAchment of claim 16 wherein the first end portions of the first,second and third support means are joined to the hitching member in thegeneral vicinity of the said first, second and third hitching meansrespectively.
 18. The back fill attachment of claim 16 wherein the firstand second hitching means are located in a generally hoirozontal planeand the third hitching means is located in a plane which passes througheach of the first and second hitching means and extends upwardtherefrom.
 19. The back fill attachment of claim 16 wherein the firstand second hitching means are located in a generally horizontal plane,the third hitching means is located in a plane which passes through eachof the first and second hitching means and extends upward therefrom, andthe first end portions of the first, second and third support means arejoined to the hitching member in the general vicinity of the said first,second and third hitching means respectively.
 20. The back fillattachment of claim 19 wherein the said third support means includes aflexible support means which is adjustable in effective length and arigid support means, and the said flexible support means and the saidrigid support means are detachably joined on at least one end to thesaid hitching member and the second end of the tongue whereby at leastone end of one of said flexible and rigid support means may be detachedand the remaining one of said flexible and rigid support means may beused alone.
 21. The back fill attachment of claim 19 wherein the saidhitching member includes upper and lower portions, the first and secondhitching means are carried by the said lower portion and the thirdhitching means is carried by the said upper portion, and means isprovided for movably mounting the said upper portion above the saidlower portion whereby the said upper and lower portions are in spacedrelationship, the means for mounting the said upper portion allowingmovement thereof about an axis which extends generally transversely withrespect to the tongue whereby the third hitching means carried therebymay be moved back and forth in the general direction of the longitudinalaxis of the tongue to provide flexibility.
 22. The back fill attachmentof claim 19 wherein the said third support means includes a flexiblesupport means which is adjustable in effective length and a rigidsupport means, the said flexible support means and the said rigidsupport means are detachably joined on at least one end to the saidhitching member and the second end of the tongue whereby at least oneend of one of said flexible and rigid support means may be detached andthe remaining one of said flexible and rigid support means may be usedalone, the said hitching member includes upper and lower portions, thefirst and second hitching means are carried by the said lower portionand the third hitching means is carried by the said upper portion, andmeans for movably mounting the said upper portion above the said lowerportion whereby the said upper and lower portions are in spacedrelationship, the means for mounting the said upper portion allowingmovement thereof about an axis which extends generally transversely withrespect to the tongue whereby the third hitching means carried therebymay be moved back and forth in the general direction of the longitudinalaxis of the tongue to provide flexibility.
 23. The back fill attachmentof claim 22 wherein the said lower portion of the hitching member iselongated and has first and second end portions, the said lower portionis joined between its first and second end portions to the first endportion of the tongue, the longitudinal axis of the said lower portionextends generally transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe tongue, the said first and second hitching means are carried by thesaid first and second end portions respectively of the lower portion ofthe hitching member, the said upper portion of the hitching memberincludes first and second spaced legs which extend upward and are joinedtogether to form a common portion, the said third hitching means iscarried by the said common portion, the means for movably mounting thesaid upper portion includes first and second mounting elements carriedby the first and second end portions of the said lower portion and thefirst and second legs of the said upper portion respectively, the firstend portions of the first and second support means are joined to thefirst and second end portions of the said lower portion respectively,and the first end portions of the said flexible and rigid third supportmeans are detachably joined to the said common portion of the upperportion of the hitching member.